What are we waiting for?

Daylight Savings Time has been rolled back now for almost a month. It is always such a shock to me when darkness comes so early. We are now in that time of the year when it seems the darkest—and we are waiting for the light.We have entered the season of Advent, a time of beginnings and endings. The beginning of the liturgical year; the winding down of the calendar year. And yet, this winding down time holds great promise for us Christians, because we are waiting for the Light.

This fall has had held some unhappy surprises for many of us; the economy has battered our savings and our retirement plans. The unemployment rate has jumped; more people are struggling to stay in their homes and feed their families. This fall has also held a happy surprise for us in America. No matter what one’s political persuasion, we can all agree that in electing Barack Obama as our next president, this country has been able to move at least a bit past the great sin and darkness of racism.

As we move through the season of Advent to the great joy of Christmas, giving thanks for God’s gift to us in Jesus, I invite you to remember all those who will need your help. Remember those who are newly unemployed and will be served by the job development program for the recently unemployed through our newest program in Riverhead. Remember those who are being served by our many parish food pantries and soup kitchens. Remember those who are in emotional distress during this time who are served by the Community Counseling and Education Program of ECS. Remember the patients visited by chaplains and chaplain interns at EHS, as they bring comfort and joy during Christmastime to those who are in the hospitals and nursing homes.

Remember that this is a time when we are waiting for the Light, eagerly awaiting the new light of God’s incarnate Word, Jesus the Christ. Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives!

During this Advent and Christmas season, please give generously to Episcopal Charities of Long Island, 36 Cathedral Avenue, P.O. Box 510, Garden City, NY 11530. To donate using a credit card, please call us at 516-248-4800, ext. 19 and speak with Mrs. Nancy Kennelly, Administrative Assistant. When you make a donation in memory of or in honor of someone, their name will be recorded in the Book of Remembrance and an acknowledgement sent to them.

As individuals and as a community,
we all receive through giving to help others!

Please give generously to
Episcopal Charities of Long Island

36 Cathedral Avenue, P.O. Box 510
Garden City, NY 11530

www.episcopalcharitiesli.org
516-248-4800, ext. 19
The Rev. E. Clare Nesmith, Executive Director

generosity   s  p  r  e  a  d  s